The northern Gulf of Mexico is a broad plain stretching from north Florida to the edge of the Yucatan of Mexico. Across this region, broad saltmarshes spread across the Gulf plain. Here John visits Sabine National Wildlife Refuge in southwest Louisiana, USA, to look at some of the special features of the region — alligators, salt domes, ancient Pleistocene oak cheniers, and the work of fires and hurricanes — to discuss the challenges and threats that the people and species of the region face now and for the future. Filmed in July 2009.

Untitled from John Matthews on Vimeo.

Filming took place near Holly Beach, Louisiana, USA, quite close to where Hurricane Rita landed in 2005 to wreak vast destruction to the people of Johnson's Bayou, Holly Beach, Cameron, and Hackberry. This is dedicated to the memory of the people who lost so much then and during the many storms that have affected this region. Many thanks as well to my field crew: Kerry Watkins (spouse!), Chrystene Matthews (sister), and Martha Lueg (mother) for their help in the field, and to Uncle Walter Strong for his hospitality uproad. And for Chrystene's nice ring tone, somewhere in the background.